This Week in Farming: Budget, land sales, and new Dacia

Welcome back to This Week in Farming, your regular round-up of the best Farmers Weekly content from the last seven days.

As usual before we get started, here’s your markets – and it looks like lamb prices have turned a corner.

Now, on with the show.

Budget: The fallout

There’s been no let-up in the scrutiny of Chancellor Rachel Reeves’s Budget this week, so let’s start with the continuing fury over the inheritance tax changes.

This measure is the one dominating rural MPs’ inboxes and likely making a good number of the new Labour intake from countryside constituencies with small majorities very nervous.

This is particularly because the Treasury’s defence of the measure is built on shaky ground, with their claim about most farmers not falling into the scope of this falling apart under NFU scrutiny.

Yet it’s Defra ministerial team being sent out to defend this, with both secretary of state Steve Reed and farming minister Daniel Zeichner going on the record with their support.

In my editorial this week I’ve thrown Farmers Weekly’s support behind campaigns to reverse the measures – and we’ve also given our back cover over to this punchy poster.

Budget: What it means for you

With another week we’ve had the time to unpack what each Budget measure means for farming in much more detail.

In this news analysis piece this week we go over precisely what it means in terms of funding for the devolved regions, as well as other details on farm cashflow.

Then in the business section we speak to experts on what the inheritance tax plans may mean for land values and how farmers should begin to plan to minimise tax when handing over their assets in light of the new rules.

But do read columnist Jo Franklin (on her excellent debut) as the final word on the topic for this week – who says the proposed changes are not nearly as dramatic as some farmers are making them out to be.

Low-cost motor

A 4×4 for under £26,000 is a rare find these days, especially a brand new one.

But that’s what you can pay to walk away with the revamped Dacia Duster, which the machinery team have cast a thorough eye over this week.

And it’s the turn of the Leighfield family, who are Wiltshire-based dairy farmers and contractors, for the latest edition of What’s in Your Shed?

Eagle-eyed Tractor Ted viewers may recognise some of their kit as having featured in the popular children’s TV series.

Land sales

In addition to the Budget this week, we’ve also had separate advice features with the latest advice on land sales.

First, this useful piece on the common issues that slow or delay a transaction taking place.

One route to a potentially speedy sale is via auction – and the other pros and cons of that is the focus of a second piece.

Who’s up and who’s down?

On the up this week is…Donald Trump!

He’s shocked a lot of people by winning a second US presidential term and sent ripples through the markets as traders fretted over the heightened risk of a global trade war.

The factors mostly driving the wheat market down this week though are more mundane.

Feeling down this week are country-dwelling fans of the BBC after it emerged that it was highly unlikely that the state broadcaster would appoint another rural champion to replace Dmitri Houtart.

The role was created a decade ago following criticism that the organisation had a metropolitan bias.

Listen to the podcast

Don’t forget to tune into this week’s FW podcast, with Johann Tasker and guests.

You’ll find it anywhere you listen to podcasts, or free to listen to on our website.